Scored 9 goals and 18 points in 33 games with the Spitfires before being traded to the Belleville Bulls, where he scored 12 goals and 23 points in 27 games.

Finished the OHL regular season with a total of 21 goals and 41 points in 56 games.

Scored 6 goals and 8 points in 6 games for Slovakia in the U20 World Junior Championships, leading his club in both goals and points and was selected as one of Slovakia's top-3 players by the tournament coaches.

Signed an amateur tryout contract (ATO) with the Norfolk Admirals at the end of his junior team's season and had 1 assist in 5 games for the Admirals.

Had 14 goals and 31 points in 27 games for Belleville before being traded to Guelph, where he amassed 13 goals and 25 points in 24 games for the Storm.

Finished the OHL regular season with a total of 27 goals and 56 points in 52 games.

Named captain of Team Slovakia in the U20 World Championships.
[8}Scored 7 goals and 9 points in 6 games to again lead the Slovakians in goals and points, and was again named one of Slovakia's top-3 players by the coaches.

Scored 1 goal and 3 points in 6 playoff games for Guelph.

Signed a 3-year entry level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Scouting Report

Scouting Comments:

"He has a real set of hands with the puck; the kind of guy who can beat you at top speed in traffic." -Lightning Director of Amateur Scouting Jim Hammett

"On talent alone he'd be first round material." -Red Line Report

Strengths:

Panik is incredibly strong on the puck with the ability to beat defenders wide with speed and power. He also possesses a high end shot and playmaking ability. He has the ability to dominate the play in the offensive third of the ice when he is healthy and applies himself.

Weaknesses:

Scouts soured on Panik due to the perception he is lazy and has a bad attitude. He fell out of condition after getting injured late in 2008-2009 and showed up to the NHL Scouting Combine out of shape. Getting a consistent effort out of Panik is the first order of business in his development. Teaching him the defensive side of the game is the second.

Projection:

Panik has scoring line potential, and the most common comparison scouts give for Panik's style is to Marian Hossa. But, he's a hit or miss prospect who could very well never touch NHL ice if he fails to learn to prepare and compete consistently like a professional.

October 2014 Addition: Panik's failure to compete consistently resulted in him being waived by the Lightning and picked up by Toronto. The Leafs are getting a skilled, powerful winger who - when all cylinders are firing - can take over a shift. Panik can score and hit and is satisfactory in his end of the ice. The key for him is to get all parts of his game working at the same time. If he does, he's excellent. If he doesn't, he's forgettable.